SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Gubernatorial candidate Jeff Burningham has suspended his effort to gather signatures to qualify for the primary ballot amid concerns about the new coronavirus.
The Republican said Friday that he “couldn’t sleep” thinking about potential spread of the virus as his team knocks on 1,500 doors per day, the Deseret News reported.
Burningham is now on track to meet the April 13 deadline, with more than 20,000 signatures, said campaign spokesman Jordan Hess. Governor candidates must get 28,000 verified voter signatures to qualify for the primary election ballot.
Another GOP candidate, Jan Garbett, said it’s been hard to gather signatures because people are refusing to open their doors due to fear about the spread of the virus.
Republican Thomas Wright has qualified for the ballot, while GOP Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox is close to the required number of signatures.
Utah has a handful of cases of the new virus, including Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
